posted 10-21-2025 12:54 PM               

America First

In the 1970s, America looks to its state-of-the-art, reusable Space Shuttle to reinvigorate its national space programme and meet the country's military and commercial demands. For the first time, aspiring astronauts of all genders and racial backgrounds have been encouraged to apply. But in 1986, tragedy strikes when Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board.

This is the story of the early Space Shuttle program, using immersive interviews with astronauts and their families reveal how they battled segregation, sexism and hard-wired prejudices to secure a ride to space.

BBC Factual release

Once Upon a Time in Space

Once Upon a Time in Space, telling the human story of space exploration, commissioned by BBC Factual

BBC Factual's "Once Upon a Time in Space" is a new series from the multi award-winning team behind "Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland" and "Once Upon a Time in Iraq."

Directed by James Bluemel, the 4x60 series from Keo Films for BBC Two and iPlayer tells the human story of space exploration using unique, unexpected archive, present-day footage and first-hand testimony from around the world.

James Bluemel's most recent series "Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland," a Keo Films co-production with Walk on Air, was widely acclaimed as one of the best documentary series made about the conflict in Northern Ireland. It won the Broadcast Award for best documentary series, adding to two Grierson Awards. Bluemel's previous series, "Once Upon a Time in Iraq" won the 2021 Bafta for best factual series, an international Emmy for best documentary, a duPont Colombia Award, best documentary and outstanding series awards at the Rose d'Or festival.

On the 14 December 1972, Eugene Cernan became the eleventh person to walk on the Moon. Leaving the lunar surface, he proclaimed, "We shall return." These remain the last words to have been spoken on the moon. In the decades since, the moon has become alien once again to direct human contact. However, that's all about to change.

Humans are once again looking up and heading out, back into space... and we're taking our power struggles with us. China, Russia, America, India, Saudi Arabia and Japan are all investing heavily in lunar exploration, jostling for power and influence amongst the stars. A new Space Race has begun.

The series connects the past with the present and examines what the consequences are for the future of humankind as we once again head into space. It hears compelling new testimony from pioneering astronauts, visionary scientists, remarkable engineers, daring space tourists, maverick billionaires, romantic dreamers and astro-theorists spellbound by the wonder of possibility.

Clare Sillery, BBC Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, says: "In his 'Once Upon a Time' series of documentaries, filmmaker James Bluemel has been clear eyed and fearless in his choices. His distinctive approach has brought a new understanding to the most challenging and complex subjects.

I'm delighted to support his creative ambition as he and the brilliant team at Keo turn their attention to space exploration. I'm excited to see what surprising new perspectives they will unlock and what the series might reveal about us and our modern world."

James Bluemel says: "It's been great to work with the BBC on both 'Once Upon a Time in Iraq' and 'Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland,' and I'm really excited [about] this new one. It will be interesting creatively to take the 'Once Upon a Time/ approach and focus it on a subject like space, to move the strand on in an unexpected and refreshing way."

"Once Upon a Time in Space" (4x60) was commissioned by Clare Sillery, BBC Head of Commissioning, Documentaries for BBC Two and iPlayer. The BBC Commissioning Editor is Tom Pullen. Produced by Keo Films, a Passion Pictures company, the Director is James Bluemel who serves as an Executive Producer alongside Will Anderson and Andrew Palmer for Keo Films. Vicky Mitchell is Series Producer. The series is produced in partnership with the Open University.

posted 06-01-2026 10:46 AM               

New Four-Part Series 'Once Upon a Time in Space' Tells the Human Stories Behind Our Quest to Explore Space

Series from Filmmaker James Bluemel and the Team Behind the Award-winning 'Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland' Premieres Tuesdays, July 14 - August 4, 2026 on PBS and PBS.org

As the world enters a new era of planetary science, "Once Upon a Time in Space" tells the human stories behind one of our most extraordinary endeavors: the exploration of space. Moving beyond scientific achievement, the series examines the personal experiences of astronauts, cosmonauts, ground-based participants, and the loved ones left on Earth.

Across four episodes, it traces significant landmarks in spacefaring history, from the birth of the Shuttle and the pioneering Space Station Mir to the rise of commercial spaceflight. Through powerful firsthand testimony and intimate, unseen archival footage, a complex portrait of humanity emerges: one that lays bare both our fragility and boundless curiosity. Accounts of bravery, friendship and tragedy are told against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, connecting technical and geopolitical developments to those who experienced them.

From filmmaker James Bluemel and the team behind the award-winning "Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland" and "Once Upon a Time in Iraq," "Once Upon a Time in Space" premieres Tuesdays, July 14 – August 4, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app.

Humankind's journey into space began nearly 70 years ago as a competition between two opposing world views: capitalism and communism. Over the decades, it evolved into a collaborative and unifying endeavor, culminating in the creation of the International Space Station — a place where people from across the globe live and work together in orbit, united by a shared desire to push boundaries and explore beyond the horizon. Now, as a new space race dawns in a world once again rife with division, the testimony of these pioneers is more relevant than ever.

Featured are NASA astronauts including Charlie Bolden, Anna Lee Fisher, Bill Fisher, Michael Foale, Jerry Linenger, Mike Mullane, Dan Tani, and Terry Virts; cosmonauts Sergei Zalyotin and Alexander 'Sasha' Lazutkin; NASA officials; family members and more.

• Episode 1 "America First" – Tuesday, July 14

  At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union dominates the space race with a series of firsts, until the U.S. lands the first men on the moon in 1969. With the dawn of the Space Shuttle in 1976, the U.S. gains further ground on its rivals. In 1978, Ron McNair, Anna Fisher and Mike Mullane are among the group selected by NASA to fly aboard the Shuttle after the agency encouraged aspiring astronauts of all genders and racial backgrounds to apply.

  Growing up under segregation in South Carolina, McNair had few role models for a life in space beyond Lieutenant Uhura of Star Trek. Vietnam veteran Mullane arrives at NASA skeptical that women or civilians could possess "the right stuff." Emergency physician Fisher is thrust into the spotlight as the first mother in space. Her decision to leave her one-year-old daughter to fly into space intensifies the scrutiny.

  As pressure mounts on the Shuttle program to meet military and commercial demands, disaster strikes in 1986 when Challenger explodes during launch, killing all seven astronauts. While the remaining U.S. shuttle fleet is grounded, the Soviet Union successfully launches Mir, the most sophisticated space station ever seen, and edges ahead in the space race.

• Episode 2 "The Russian Thing" – Tuesday, July 21

  Like many Russians in the early 1990s, cosmonauts Sergei Zalyotin and Alexander 'Sasha' Lazutkin are struggling to make ends meet amid the chaos in post-Communist Russia. Although Space Station Mir is still in operation, Russia's space program is fighting for survival, and the U.S. fears Russian rocket scientists could be recruited by "rogue states." The Shuttle-Mir Program offers a solution: U.S. astronauts will train in Russia and live aboard Mir, providing funding for Russia while giving NASA vital long-duration spaceflight experience.

  NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger launches to Mir in January 1997, followed by rookie cosmonaut Sasha. A week into Sasha's stay, a fire threatens everyone on board. And when astronaut Michael Foale replaces Jerry, the crew faces an even greater crisis when a collision with a cargo ship damages Mir and sends it spinning out of control. Sasha and Michael work together in a desperate struggle to save themselves and the station. Their success lays the foundation for future U.S.-Russian cooperation and bonds the two men together in lifelong friendship.

• Episode 3 "Politics Always Wins" – Tuesday, July 28

  In 1996, NASA assembles a cohort of astronauts to build the International Space Station (ISS) in orbit, including engineer Dan Tani. As the ISS takes shape, Russia's aging Mir faces an uncertain future, its upkeep straining a fragile economy. Maverick millionaire Walt Anderson teams up with Dan's space-obsessed friend Carlos "Gus" Gardellini to launch MirCorp, an audacious plan to lease Mir and turn it into a commercial space hub. But NASA pressures Russia to focus its resources on the ISS, and in March 2001, Mir is de-orbited. Russia's symbol of national pride — and MirCorp's bold experiment — is gone forever.

  Meanwhile, the Expedition 1 crew, trained by NASA's Ginger Kerrick, takes up residence aboard the ISS, marking the beginning of a continuous human presence in space. For Kerrick, it is a moment of quiet triumph, as the station becomes a beacon of cooperation — proof that, for now, collaboration has prevailed over conflict.

• Episode 4 "Friends Forever" – Tuesday, August 4

  On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia breaks up in the atmosphere as it prepares to land in Houston. With the ISS only halfway built, the U.S. has lost two of its six shuttles. But work continues to forge ahead, and when the ISS is completed in 2011, the Space Shuttle is retired after 30 years of service. The United States loses its ability to launch astronauts independently, forcing NASA to pay for seats on Russian rockets. In 2014, Russia annexes Crimea. From the ISS, astronaut Terry Virts and his Russian colleague watch red flashes on the ground over Ukraine — bombs falling. For Terry, the illusion of space as a peaceful refuge is shattered.

  Elon Musk's SpaceX eventually reinstates NASA's ability to launch its own astronauts into space. As relations between the U.S. and Russia deteriorate and the ISS nears the end of its life, questions arise about whether cooperation will continue. At NASA, Ginger Kerrick hopes the ISS's lesson — that collaboration is possible — will not be forgotten.

  "World leaders are not interested in things that benefit the human race," says Kerrick. "They're interested in things that benefit their nation. But for a little while, I lived in a world that didn't operate that way, and it was beautiful. And any of us that have lived that life really believe there is more we can accomplish together."

"Once Upon a Time in Space" will stream simultaneously with broadcast and be available on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS app, which is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast, VIZIO and LG Smart TVs.

"Once Upon a Time in Space" was produced in partnership with the BBC with James Bluemel as director. Vicky Mitchell is the series producer, and executive producers are Will Anderson and Andrew Palmer. Executive producers for the BBC are Clare Sillery and Tom Pullen. Diana El-Osta is Executive in Charge at PBS.